LGE 2026: Conflicting views shared by Durbanites
While some people from Durban had a positive experience in the 2026 LGE, some say they did not cast their votes for various reasons.
The official day of the 2026 Local Government Elections was received in different spirits today as citizens shared their experiences and sentiments of the polls.
The Berea Mail spoke to some of the citizens in Durban to hear from them, about their experiences at the various voting stations.
According to Sibongakonke Gumede, who cast his vote at Glenwood Preparatory School, he was pleased with the overall voting process. “Everything went accordingly. We did not even spend an hour in the queue.
“There are a lot of issues that compelled me to come here. I want to see a change. We want water, electricity proper service delivery,” he said.
Mpho Montumi who also voted at Glenwood said that she was pleased with the process as well, and that she would definitely vote again in the future. “We want change, we want service delivery and that is what inspired me to come and vote.
“The process was fairly quick and straightforward. Well, if you know who you are voting for it is easy. You just get to the ballot and strike your mark and out. I would definitely do it again in the future,” she said.
Mushtaq Ahmed who cast his vote at the Durban City Hall said that he was also happy with the process.
He said that he was drawn to the polls by his desire for a transformation and the creation of more opportunities for the youth, particularly the Digital Sector.
However, these sentiments did not echo throughout the City as some homeless locals (who declined to share their photographs) did not exercise their right to a free and fair election, due to different reasons.
Siyabonga Hlongwane, who resides at the Jewish Centre in Durban and often seeks help at the Denis Hurley Centre, said that he did not vote after losing his ID.
According to him, he lost it during forced removals by the Metro Police, from his place of dwelling.
“You know it is difficult to get an ID book when you are homeless. It requires time and money,” he said.
Hlongwane said that he did have a desire to vote.
“I wanted to vote but I could not this time because I do not have an ID. I think if the party which I am supporting were to win the elections, a lot of things would change. It is unfortunate that I could not contribute to that, because of this misfortune,” he said.
Hlongwane added that he wished for a leadership that would recognise homeless people as human beings who have feelings, and are capable of making a positive to contribution to society.
“Most of us need jobs to sustain ourselves but we do not get those opportunities. It is not all of us who are here that is a drug addict,” he said.
Hlongwane left home in 2019 following the death of his mother.
Another homeless dweller, Ernest Myeza, said that he made a conscious decision not to vote in these elections.
“How can you vote when the entire city of Durban is full of foreign nationals who will just multiply if we vote. We are fighting with them for the crumbs and they are protected.”
He called for the incoming leadership to recognise homeless people as human.
“A homeless person is someone who does not have parents and does not have a home. Do not call them ‘pharas’. Just like myself, I lost my mother and sisters and I had to navigate life on my own. I don’t not have a father,” said Myeza.
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